Starting or reversing mechanism for steam-engines



Patented Nov. 8, I898.

No. 6l3,783.

a. S CHUHMANN. STARTING 0R REVERSING MECHANISM FOR STEAM ENGINES.

(Application filed Nov. 3, 1897.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet l.

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No. 6|3,783. Patented Nov. 8, I898.

G. SCHUHMANN.

STARTING 0R BEVEBSING MECHANISM FOR STEAM ENGINES.

(Application filed Nov. 3, 1397.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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Nu. 6l3,783. Patented Nov. 8, I898. G. SGHUHNIANN.

STARTING 0R REVEBSING MECHANISM FOR STEAM. ENGINES.

(Application mea mw. s, 1897.) (No Model.) 3 SheetsSheat 3.

NiTED STATES HATENT Fries.

GEORGE SOHUI-IMANN, OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 613,783, dated November 8, 1898.

Application filed November 3, 1897- Serial No. 657,253. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE SCHUHMANN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Reading, county of Berks, State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Starting or Reversing Mechanisms for Steam-Engines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates especially to slidevalve steam-engines; and my object is to provide an improved mechanism adapted to permit the starting or reversing of the engine without operating the main valve, which in the case of large engines it is difficult for the operator to move as required. Valves have heretofore been applied to engines for this purpose, by means of which steam has been admitted to and exhausted from opposite ends of the cylinder independently of the main valves.

My invention consists in the improved construction and arrangement of mechanism, which is fully described in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an engine-cylinder, showing my improved mechanism applied thereto, the section being taken on the line x 00 of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of the valve and valve-chamber, taken on the line y y of Fig. 2 and showing also in cross-section the portion of the cylinder-casting to which it is connected. Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view of an engine-cylinder, showing my improved mechanism attached thereto.

A represents the cylinder proper of an ordinary steam-engine; B, the steam-chest; D D, the steam-inlet to the chest; 0, the mainvalve seat; E, the steam-ports connecting the opposite ends of the cylinder to the steamchest, and F the exhaust-port. The flow of steam through the ports E and F is controlled,

as usual, by a slide-valve.

To enable the engine to be started or reversed without moving the main valve, which, as has been stated, it is often difficult to do, it is necessaryto provide independent means for admitting or releasing steam to and from the opposite ends of the cylinder. In my improved construction this is provided for as follows: Openings 6 are made through the exterior Wall of the cylinder-casting into the ports E, respectively, at a convenient loca tion between the steam-chest and the cylinder, and a passageway f is also provided from the exhaust-port F through the double wall of the cylinder, opening exteriorly between the openings '6 from the steam-ports, this passage-way being formed, as shown, by a pipe which passes through the steam-inlet D and is tightly secured in the outer and inner walls d and d of the latter. Suitable steam-tight seats e and f are provided around each of the openings e and f fora valve-casing H, which is arranged to connect these several openings. The casing H is formed with a cylindrical valve-chamber hand with hollow lateral extensions H and H the outer ends of which are formed with finished faces adapted to rest upon the seats 6 and with bolting-flanges h h by means of which the complete casing is removably secured to the cylindebcasting.

These lateral extensions H H are formed with passage-ways h" h, which serve to connect the port-openings c with the intermediate valvechamber h. This chamber also communicates, through a central passage 77?, with the passageway f to the exhaust-port F, a suitable joint being formed also on the seat f. Asupplypipe I for live steam connects with the top of the chamber, and a three-way valve J is 10- cated within it, the latter being arranged to close-both of the passage-ways h h when in central position. This valve is operated by means of a spindle K, passing through a stuffing-box K and a suitable lever mechanism K. When it is desired to admit steam to the end of the cylinder with which the port E con- 'nects, for instance, in order to move the piston toward the opposite end, the valve J is turned so as to throw the port E intocommunication with the supply-pipe I, this movement at the same time throwing the opposite port E into communication with the exhaustport F. The engine is thus started in the proper direction, after which the main valve will automatically control it.

By arranging the port-openings e and f as described and connecting the same by means of a single casting having the valve-chamber and the required passage-ways formed therein and connecting directly with said openings I am able to produce a perfectly satisfactory communication between the several ports and Ico municating directly with each of said passages and seats around the openings thereof, an independent steam-inlet to said casing, and a three-Way valve therein with mechanism for operating the latter substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

GEORGE SOI-IUI-IMANN. Witnesses:

HEBER Y. Yosr, PHILIP S. ZIEBER. 

